EG Smith, Inc., Honored by Department of Defense for Patriotic Support

 

Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, announced today that the EG Smith, Inc., was presented a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees serving in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve.  EG Smith, Inc., was nominated for the award by Airforce Reservist Staff Sgt. Luke DePledge.

According East Central Pennsylvania ESGR Volunteer Roslyn Schroeder the Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR.  The Seven Seals Award is in recognition of the support of the ESGR mission.  There are more than 4,500 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the Nation on a daily basis.  The award was created to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond. It is presented for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve.  The Award is symbolic of the seven services, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve.  Schroeder mailed the award to EG Smith, Inc., and virtually presented the award during a Zoom video conference.

In nominating EG Smith, DePledge wrote:

“Matt Rucinksi and EG Smith,

I don’t even know where to begin to express my extreme gratitude for Matt going way above and beyond to take care of an emergent boiler problem at my house.  My biggest worries prior to departing for Iraq, was Murphy’s Law.  Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.  With an infant and toddler at home, in the cold PA winter, of course the boiler gave my wife a massive headache.  My wife was in distress and overwhelmed with the lack of water and heat to the home.  This happened on multiple occasions.  Matt stepped up every time!       

After my wife called EG Smith upset, Matt took over as the lead technician despite sitting in a management role.  He completely prioritized the repair and eventual replacement of my old boiler.  Matt went over to my home several times, at no cost!  Constantly taking time out of his busy day and other projects.  He furthered his actions by spending countess hours researching new systems and rebates for us.  What normally would have taken weeks to schedule, Matt scheduled for a full boiler replacement in just 3 days.  Also, knowing we have small children and would be without heat during the replacement, Matt made sure to bring large space heaters to my home.  He was extremely accommodating to us.  Matt considerably advanced the ESGR mission and I am forever thankful.” 

Accepting the Seven Seals Award on behalf of EG Smith, Inc is service team member Matthew Rucinski.  In accepting the award, Rucinski said in part “We will very proudly display this award… Our company historically does everything we can for our troops.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA. 

EG Smith receiving award

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